Card game method

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of playing a baccarat-blackjack hybrid game comprising the steps of controlling whether to draw a card or not draw a card after a player has already been dealt two cards; and comparing a combined value of cards possessed by the player to a number other than twenty-one to determine whether the player wins.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application relates to and claims priority benefits fromU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/299,104 entitled “Card GameMethod,” filed Jun. 18, 2001 (Attorney Docket No. 13187US01), which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a methodof playing a card game, and more particularly to a method of playing acard game based on baccarat and blackjack.

[0003] Baccarat is one of many live table games played in casinos orgaming establishments. Baccarat uses a standard deck of fifty-two (52)playing cards or a multiple number of decks. A standard deck of playingcards includes aces, kings, queens, jacks, tens, nines, eights, sevens,sixes, fives, fours, threes and twos. Typically, eight decks areshuffled together prior to the beginning of play and placed in acard-dispensing receptacle, i.e., a shoe, from which the cards are dealtduring game play.

[0004] Prior to the deal, each bettor, or player, may make one of thefollowing wagers: 1) the banker will win (“the banker hand will win”);2) the player will win (“the player's hand will win”); or 3) the bankerand the player will tie. The closest hand to nine (9) wins. Thus, if theplayer's hand is closer to nine (9) than the banker's hand, the playerwins. If, however, the banker's hand is closer to nine (9) than theplayer's hand, the banker wins.

[0005] After all wagers are made, two cards are dealt from the shoe tothe banker position and two cards are dealt from the shoe to the playerposition on the table layout. The cards are turned face up and thevalues of the banker hand and the player hand are determined.

[0006] In terms of card values, aces count as one (1); kings, queens,jacks and tens (10) count as zero (0) and the other cards count theirrespective face value. Thus, for example, an eight (8) of diamonds andan ace of spades combine to equal a total of nine (9). Also, a king ofhearts and a queen of diamonds combine to equal zero (0). As mentionedabove, the highest hand value in Baccarat is nine (9). All hand valuesrange from a low of zero (0) to a high of nine (9). If when the cardsare added together, the total of the hand exceeds nine (9), but is lessthan twenty (20), then the hand value is determined by subtracting ten(10) from the total of the hand. For example, a seven (7) and an eight(8) combine to equal fifteen (15), but the hand value is five (5). Anace and a nine (9) total ten (10), but the hand value is zero (0). Ifwhen the cards are added together, the total of the hand exceedsnineteen (19), then the hand value is determined by subtracting (20)from the total of the hand. For example, a seven (7) and eight (8) and anine (9) combine to equal twenty-four (24). However, the hand value isfour (4). In other words, last digit, or the digit in the ones place isthe determining factor.

[0007] A two-card total of eight (8) or nine (9) is termed a “Natural.”Conversely, a two-card total of zero (0) is termed a “Baccarat”. Incertain situations in the play of the game, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, athird card will be dealt. The value of this third card is added to thetotal of the first two cards and a new hand value is established. Again,if the new hand total exceeds nine (9), the hand value is determined bysubtracting ten (10) from the total of the hand. The player has nodiscretion as to whether he/she can select the third card. That is, theplayer does not have the option to draw a card or not draw a card.Rather, baccarat is controlled by rigid rules that mandate when anadditional card is dealt to the player and/or the banker.

[0008] The bettor receives even money for his wager if he selects thewinning hand and loses his wager if he selects the losing hand. Becauseof the rules of play of Baccarat the banker's hand has a slightly higherchance of winning than does the player's hand. Therefore, if the bettorwagers on the banker's hand, the bettor must pay to the gamingestablishment a commission (typically, 5%) of the amount the bettorwins. For example, if a bettor wagers $100 on the banker hand and thebanker hand wins, the bettor wins $100 and is charged a $5 commission onthe amount that the bettor won. All winning player hand wagers are paidoff at odds of one-to-one and the bettor, who bet on the player hand, isnot charged any commission on the amount of his winnings or his wager.Winning wagers on the tie hand (i.e., when the banker and the playerhands tie) bet are paid off at odds of nine-to-one or eight-to-one(depending on the gaming establishment) and the bettor is not chargedany “commission” on the amount of his winnings or his wager. If a tiehand occurs, all wagers on the banker hand and all wagers on the playerhand are “pushes” and the amount wagered is returned to the bettor, ifthe bettor bet on anything but a tie.

[0009] Statistics show that the gaming establishment has a 1.23%advantage over the bettor when the bettor wagers on the player's handand the gaming establishment has a 1.06% advantage over the bettor whenthe bettor wagers on the banker's hand. Statistics also show that awager on the tie hand wager gives the gaming establishment a 4.88%advantage over the bettor when the payoff odds are nine-to-one and a14.1% advantage over the bettor when the payoff odds are eight-to-one.

[0010] A drawback of conventional Baccarat is the necessity forcalculating, recording and collecting the 5% commission on all winningbanker hand wagers. Typically, the calculation of the 5% commissionamount is done visually by a gaming establishment dealer and is subjectto gaming establishment dealer error and disputes with the bettors overthe amount of the commission. The reconciliation and collection of thecommission at the end of each shoe typically delays the beginning of thenext round of play. Studies estimate that as much as twenty percent ofthe accrued commission goes uncollected. Because the house margin onBaccarat is so small, uncollected commission can seriously impact theprofitability of a Baccarat table or the entire Baccarat “pit,” that is,a collection of multiple Baccarat tables.

[0011] Additionally, many players decline to play Baccarat because ofthe added complexity of the “third card” draw rules. As mentioned above,some of the third card rules are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Often times,the complicated and complex “third card” draw rules intimidate beginnersand experienced players alike. Thus, many players prefer differentcasino games, which are easier to understand.

[0012] From the perspective of the gaming establishment, the play of around of Baccarat should take a predictable length of time. An averageof eighty hands are possible per each shoe holding eight decks of cards.Typically, the commission is determined and recorded for each winningbank hand wager. The process of determining, calculating and/orrecording the commission typically is time consuming and slows gameplay. Approximately half of the time, the Bank's hand will be thewinning hand. Consequently, approximately half of the time, thecommission calculation process occurs. Slow downs in actual play of thegame result in decreased revenues to the gaming establishment, becausethe frequency of wagering is decreased. Less wagering activity resultsin less money for the gaming establishment.

[0013] In addition to Baccarat, casinos and other gaming establishmentsalso offer players the opportunity play “Blackjack,” or “21.” The gameof Blackjack is arguably the most popular casino game offered bygambling establishments. Blackjack has fascinated the public for yearsas a leisure time activity, or as a means of income for someindividuals. Each year billions of dollars in wagers are traded over thetable in connection with this one game alone.

[0014] Typically, in Blackjack, each player wagers a bet and is dealttwo cards by a dealer who also deals two cards to him/herself. InBlackjack, however, the dealer deals both of the player cards face-up,while the dealer deals one card face-down and one card face-up to thehim/herself. After the initial cards are dealt, each player has theoption of “hitting” (drawing a card) or “standing” (holding—not drawinga card). Typically, players determine whether to hit, that is have thedealer deal them another card, or stand by viewing their cards, and theface-up dealer card. To win, the Player's cards must have a total cardvalue higher than that of the Dealer, but no greater than twenty-one.

[0015] The “dealer hand” is played out by the Dealer, in accordance witha set of predetermined “house rules.” The house rules control the playof the dealer's hand with respect to the dealer's ability or inabilityto draw subsequent cards. For example, once the dealer reveals theface-down card, the dealer is typically required to hit, or deal anothercard to him/herself, if the dealer's two card total is less than 17. If,however, the dealer's two card total is 17 or greater, the dealer istypically required to stay, or hold.

[0016] While the dealer is mandated by house rules to hit or staydepending on the dealer's two card total, the player, in a typicalBlackjack game, is able to play according to the individual player'sprerogative. Thus, each player may “hit” (draw a card) or “stand” (notdraw a card), at the player's discretion, in an effort to reachtwenty-one with respect to his/her card hand.

[0017] Blackjack is an ideal gambling establishment card game becauseall the players oppose the dealer (or “house”) rather than each other.Thus, more revenue may be generated, as opposed to card games thatgenerate revenue by merely acting as the “house”, such as “poker.” Thatis, in Blackjack, if the dealer beats all of the players, the housecollects from all of the losing players.

[0018] A need exists for a card game that increases the amount ofrevenue being generated by Baccarat tables over a given period of timewithout requiring the bettor to increase the amount of his wager. Thatis, a need exists for a method that increases the frequency of wageringactivity in Baccarat. Additionally, a need exists for a method ofincreasing the pace of a typical Baccarat game. Also, a need exists fora card game that is easy and fun for skilled and unskilled playersalike.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of playinga casino card game. The card game includes a dealer, at least one playerand at least one deck of fifty-two playing cards, wherein the deck is astandard deck of playing cards. The deck of playing cards includes aces,kings, queens, jacks, tens (10), nines (9), eights (8), sevens (7),sixes (6), fives (5), fours (4), threes (3) and twos (2). The methodcomprises placing a first wager; dealing to a player a first face-upcard and a second face-up card; dealing to a dealer a first facedown-card and a third face-up card; permitting the player to do one ofdrawing an additional card and not drawing an additional card; andrequiring the dealer to do one of drawing an extra card and not drawingan extra card based on house rules. The method also includes determininga total of a player hand based on the sum of the first face up-card, thesecond face-up card and, if the additional card has been selected, theadditional card. Also, the method includes determining a total of adealer hand based on the sum of the first face-down card, the thirdface-up card, and, if the dealer has been required to select the extracard, the extra card. The winner is determined by the total of a playerhand and the total of the dealer hand that is closest to a value ofnine. A hand may not exceed a total of three cards to any one player orthe dealer. That is, each player may not have a hand exceed three cards;nor may the dealer have a hand exceeding three cards. Each player mayopt to double down. Also, each player may opt to split his/her cards, ifthe cards have matching values (e.g., a four (4) of diamonds and a four(4) of spades).

[0020] Values are assigned to the cards as follows: aces equal one;kings, queens, jacks and tens (10) equal zero (0); and the remainingcards equal their respective face values. If, however, the sum of a handexceeds nine (9) but is nineteen (19) or less, a value of ten (10) issubtracted from the aggregate value of the hand. If, however, the sum ofthe hand exceeds nineteen (19), a value of twenty (20) is subtractedfrom the aggregate value of the hand. That is, the last digit, or thedigit in the ones place, is the relevant digit. The player is anautomatic winner if he is dealt a “natural.” That is, if the player isdealt two cards totaling nine (9), the player automatically wins.

[0021] The method also includes placing a second wager that the player'shand will tie the dealer's hand. If the player's hand and the dealer'shand tie, the player is paid off at odds of 8 to 1. However, if a tieoccurs, the player may lose his/her first wager.

[0022] The method also includes house rules, which mandate that thedealer either hit or stand depending on the value of his/her hand. Forexample, if the dealer's hand is five (5) or more, the dealer may berequired to stand (hold—not draw an extra card), depending on the houserules. If, however, the dealer's hand is four (4) or less, the dealermay be required to draw another card, depending on the house rules.

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention also provide a method ofplaying a baccarat-blackjack hybrid game comprising the steps ofcontrolling whether to draw a card or not draw a card after a player hasalready been dealt two cards; and comparing a combined value of cardspossessed by the player to a number other than twenty-one to determinewhether the player wins.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEW OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024]FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a layout of an improved cardgame, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 2 is a chart illustrating the player's options during theimproved card game, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 3 is a chart illustrating the dealer's action during theimproved card game, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 4 is a chart illustrating winning and losing hands in theimproved card game, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 5 is a table showing the relationship between card face andscoring value, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029]FIG. 6 is a flow chart of game play, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

[0030]FIG. 7 is a table showing player actions in baccarat, according tothe prior art.

[0031]FIG. 8 is a table showing dealer actions in baccarat, according tothe prior art.

[0032] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detaileddescription of certain embodiments of the present invention, will bebetter understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings.For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in thedrawings, certain embodiments. It should be understood, however, thatthe present invention is not limited to the arrangements andinstrumentalities shown in the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033]FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a layout 10 of an improved cardgame, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The layout 10includes a dealer position 11 and a plurality of player stations 12positioned around a gaming table 13. The layout 10 may include more orless player stations 12. The gaming table 13 includes a card dispenserholder, or shoe, 14, a card discard holder 16, a dealer chip tray 18, amoney drip slot 20, and an information sign 22, which may indicate thetype of game being played and maximum/minimum bets. Wagering areas 24are also included on the table 13. Each wagering area 24 is associatedwith a corresponding player station 12. Additionally, the table 13includes a supplemental betting area 26. The supplemental betting area26 is clearly identified to associate a wager in the supplementalbetting area with a corresponding player position 12. The supplementalbetting area 26 may be marked “Tie Bet.”

[0034] The improved card game is played with one or more traditionalfifty-two card deck(s) of playing cards. The cards within the deck(s)are randomly shuffled together. The dealer 11 deals from the deck(s)placed in the shoe 14 for each round, until re-shuffling is necessary.The casino or house may choose when to reshuffle. Alternatively, thedealer 11 may shuffle at his/her discretion.

[0035] Prior to dealing, each player 12 makes a first wager in anassociated wagering area 24. Additionally, each player 12, at his/herdiscretion, may make a “tie bet” wager by placing a discretionary amountin the supplemental betting area 26. After each player 12 has wagered,the dealer 11 deals two cards to each player 12 and to him/herself 11.The dealing occurs sequentially. That is, the dealer 11 deals one cardto each player 12, then to him/herself 11; after which, the dealer 11deals a second card to each player 12 and him/herself in the order thefirst set of cards were dealt. The dealer 11 deals the player's 12 cardsface-up. Thus, the player's hand (the two cards dealt by the dealer 11)is visible to the dealer 11 and other players 12. The dealer 11 dealsthe first card (of the dealer's 11 hand) to him/herself face-up whilethe dealer 11 deals the second card (of the dealer's 11 hand) face-downto him/herself.

[0036] If a player 12 is dealt a two card hand totaling nine (i.e, a“natural”), the player 11 automatically wins at odds of 1.5 to 1. If,however, the player 11 wagered a tie bet on the supplement betting area26, the tie bet is lost. Player 12 who do not automatically win (by wayof a two card hand totaling nine), may do one of four things: (1) stand(or hold); (2) draw a third and final card, which is dealt face-up; (3)double-down by placing an equal amount of chips, or other monetary orrepresentative unit, next to the original bet placed in the wageringarea 24, and drawing another card; or (4) split by placing an equalamount of chips next to the original bet in the wagering area 24 if theplayer's cards are a matched pair (each hand is then playedconsecutively and separately). A tie bet goes to the first hand of thesplit.

[0037] The dealer 11 then flips over his face-down card, therebyrevealing the value of the card. The dealer 11 then plays his handaccording to the rules of the improved card came (as shown below withrespect to FIGS. 2-5). The dealer 11 then evaluates each player's 12hand against the dealer's 11 hand to determine the winning and losingwagers according to the rules of the improved card game. The dealer 11ends the round of gaming by removing all the used cards and placing themin the card discard holder 16. It is noted that a player's hand is thecards the player 12 has at any one time during the game; while thedealer's hand is the cards the dealer 11 has at any one time during thegame.

[0038]FIG. 2 is a chart illustrating the player's 12 options during theimproved card game, according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3 is a chart illustrating the dealer's 11 action during theimproved card game, according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 4 is a chart illustrating winning and losing hands in the improvedcard game, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] At least one embodiment of the present invention provides a cardgame, whereby a group of players 12 play against a dealer 11. Eachplayer's 12 objective is to possess a final hand whose sum of face valuecards is as close to or equal to nine (9). In any event, if the player's12 final hand beats the dealer's 11 final hand, the player 12 wins. Thefinal hand that is closer to nine (9) as between the player 12 and thedealer 12, is a winning hand. A player's 12 tie hand is a losing hand.That is, the amount the player 12 wagered in the wagering are 24 isautomatically lost (to the house) if the player 12 and the dealer 11tie.

[0040] The cards in a normal fifty-two card deck are weighted asindicated in the table shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, aces (of anysuit) are worth one (1). Kings, queens, jacks and tens (10) are worthzero (0). Nines (9), eights (8), sevens (7), sixes (6), fives (5), fours(4), threes (3) and twos (2) are worth their face amount. For example, atwo card hand of a queen and a ten (10) totals zero (0). Also, forexample, a two card hand of an ace and a four (4) totals five (5).

[0041] If, when the cards are added together, the total of the handexceeds nine (9), then the hand value is determined by subtracting ten(10) from the total of the hand. For example, a seven (7) and an eight(8) total fifteen (15), but the hand value is five (5). An ace and anine (9) total ten (10), but the hand value is zero (0).

[0042] Each player 12, based upon the player's 12 total card value andthe face-up card of the dealer 11, must determine his/her next course ofaction. The dealer 11 will ask each player 12, through a non-verbalsignal, if the player 12 wants another card. The player 12 may then doone of four things: DRAW, STAND, DOUBLE DOWN, or SPLIT (if applicable).

[0043] First, the player 12 may DRAW. In order to draw, the player 12asks for a third and final card, which is dealt face-up. To draw thethird and final card, the player may indicate in non-verbal manner assuch to the dealer 11, such as by scraping or tapping the table 11.

[0044] Instead of drawing, the player 12 may opt to STAND. A player 12stands when he/she determines that the odds are against him if herequests another card, and therefore stays with the original hand asdealt. For example, if the dealer's 11 face-up card is a king, and theplayer 12 has a six (6) and a two (2), the player 12 may opt to stand.In order to stand, the player 12 may indicate as such to the dealer 11in a non-verbal manner, such as by waving his/her hand over his/hercards.

[0045] Optionally, the player 12 may DOUBLE DOWN. The player 12 maydouble down by placing an equal amount of chips (or other monetary, orrepresentative unit) next to the original amount of chips in thecorresponding wagering area 24. The player 12 is then dealt a third andfinal card.

[0046] Also, optionally, the player 12 may SPLIT. If the player's 12cards are a matched pair, such as two Jacks, two Queens, two sevens andso on, the player 12 has the option of playing them each as a separatehand; face up and side by side. The player 12 must double his/her betwhen he/she selects this course of action. Each hand is then playedconsecutively and separately. The tie bet goes to the first hand. Theplayer 12 then receives an additional open card to his first hand andplays this hand until he/she wishes to stand or the three card maximumis reached. The player 12 then proceeds to play his/her second hand.Thus, when the player 12 splits and has two cards in one hand, theplayer 12 must make a decision.

[0047] After the player 12 has selected a course of action, the dealer11 then flips the dealer's 11 face-down card against the remainingplayers 12 (those without a natural). If the dealer's 11 total is five(5) or more, the dealer 11 stands. If the total is less than five (5),the dealer 11 draws his final card. House rules may mandate that thedealer 11 stands on five (5) or more; and hits on four (4) or less.Alternatively, the house rules may be that the dealer 11 hits or standson different hand values.

[0048] After the dealer 11 finishes dealing the dealer's 11 hand, thedealer makes a sweep of the players' 12 hands from his right to hisleft. The dealer 11 then evaluates each player's 12 hand against that ofthe dealer 11. The dealer 11 takes the player's 12 first bet (in thewagering area 24) and tie bet (in the supplemental betting area 26) ifthe player's 11 hand has a total less than the dealer's 11 hand. If theplayer's 12 hand is equal to the dealer's 11 hand, the dealer 11 thenpays off the player's 12 tie bet (located in the supplemental bettingarea 26) at odds of eight-to-one (if the player 12 has a tie bet) andcompares the dealer's 11 hand to the player's 12 hand. Alternatively,different odds may be used.

[0049] Tie hands are compared as they are ranked in this game. That is,nine (9) is the highest, eight (8) is second highest and so on. If theplayer's 11 hand and the dealer's 11 hand match, but the player's 12hand is ranked higher (that is, the highest ranked card of the player 12is higher than that of the dealer 11), the player 12 wins. If, however,the player's 12 hand is ranked lower than that of the dealer 11, theplayer 12 loses. If a player 12 has a hand that beats the hand of thedealer 11, the dealer 11 takes the player's 12 tie bet (located in thesupplemental betting area 26, if any) and he pays off the winningplayer's 12 first bet at odds of one-to-one. Then, after the dealer 11takes care of all the bets, the dealer 11 ends the round by removing allthe used cards and placing the used cards face down m in the carddiscard holder 16.

[0050]FIG. 6 is a flow chart of game play, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. At 60, a player places s first bet in thewagering area 24. At 62, the player has the option of placing a secondbet, the tie bet, in the supplemental betting area 26. Then, at 64, thedealer deals a first card to a first player (and a first card to asecond player, etc.). At 66, after the dealer deals first cards to theplayers, the dealer deals him/herself a first card face down. Then, at68, the dealer deals a second card to a first player (and a second cardto a second player, etc.). After the dealer deals the second cards (faceup) to the players, the dealer deals him/herself a second card face downat 70. Alternatively, the dealer may deal the second hand to him/herselfface up.

[0051] If, at 72, the player has a natural (a two card hand totalingnine (9)), the player wins on his/her first bet at 1.5 to 1; but theplayer loses the optional second bet (if one was placed) at 74. If,however, the player does not have a natural, the player, at 76 decidedhis/her next course of action. The player may draw another card at 80.Optionally, the player may stand at 82. Also, optionally, the player maydouble down at 84. If, however, the player has matching cards (such as apair of sixes (6)), the player may opt to split the cards and play eachcard as the first card in separate hands. If the player splits at 86,the dealer deals a second card to each hand (that is, each card), andthe process continues from that point.

[0052] At 88, the dealer turns over his/her face-down card. At 90, theplayer draws or holds according to house rules. For example, if thedealer has a hand equaling 5 or more, the dealer is required to hold.If, however, the dealer has a hand equaling 4 or less, the dealer isrequired to draw another card. In no event can a hand include more than3 cards. Thus, the dealer or player may never draw more than oneadditional card after the initial two cards have been dealt to thedealer or player.

[0053] At 92, the dealer determines if there is a tie. If there is atie, at 94, the hands are compared at 94 according to their respectiveranks to determine the winner, such that the hand that is ranked higherwins. At 98, the determination is made as to whether the player's handis ranked higher. If both the player hand and the dealer hand end upwith the same rank, at 104, the player loses the first bet placed in thewagering area 24, but wins the second bet (if any) placed in thesupplemental betting area 26 at 8 to 1 odds. If, however, the player'shand is ranked higher, the player wins the first best (but loses thesecond bet, if any) at 100. If the player's hand is ranked lower, theplayer loses the first best and any second bet he/she may have made.

[0054] If, however, there is no tie, the dealer determines winners andlosers, at 96, according to the rules of the game. That is, if aplayer's hand exceeds that of the dealer, the player wins at one to oneodds based on what the player wagered in the wagering area 24. Thus, ifthe player wagered a $5 chip, the player will win a $5 chip. If,however, the player's hand is less than the dealer's hand, the playerloses the amount wagered in the wagering area 24.

[0055] Thus embodiments of the present invention provide a card gamethat increases the amount of revenue being generated by Baccarat tablesover a given period of time without requiring the bettor to increase theamount of his wager. Also, embodiments of the present invention providea method that increases the frequency of wagering activity in Baccarat.Additionally, the card game is a faster pace game than traditionalBaccarat. Further, the card game is easy and fun for skilled andunskilled players alike.

[0056] While the invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to theparticular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will includeall embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A method of playing a casino card game including a dealer, at leastone player and at least one deck of fifty-two playing cards, wherein thedeck is a standard deck of playing cards, said method comprising:placing a first wager; dealing to a player a first face-up card and asecond face-up card; dealing to a dealer a first face down-card and athird face-up card; permitting the player to do one of drawing anadditional card and not drawing an additional card; requiring the dealerto do one of drawing an extra card and not drawing an extra card basedon house rules; determining a total of a player hand based on the sum ofthe first face upcard, the second face-up card and, if the additionalcard has been selected, the additional card; determining a total of adealer hand based on the sum of the first face-down card, the thirdface-up card, and, if the dealer has been required to select the extracard, the extra card; and determining a winner based on one of the totalof a player hand and the total of the dealer hand that is closest to avalue of nine.
 2. The method of claim 1 further including assigning avalue of one to aces; assigning a value of zero to kings, queens, jacksand tens; and assigning a value to remaining cards equal to the facevalue of the remaining cards.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein saiddetermining a winner step includes subtracting a value of ten from ahand that has an aggregate face value greater than nine but notexceeding nineteen; and subtracting a value of twenty from a hand thathas an aggregate face value greater than nineteen.
 4. The method ofclaim 1 further including determining that the player is an automaticwinner if the player is dealt a first face-up card and a second face-upcard having a combined total value of nine.
 5. The method of claim 1further including placing a second wager, which is placed before saiddealing steps, that the player's hand will tie the dealer's hand.
 6. Themethod of claim 5 further including losing said first wager if saidplayer's hand ties the dealer's hand.
 7. The method of claim 1 whereinsaid requiring step includes requiring the dealer to not draw an extracard if the combined total of the first face-down card and the thirdface-up card is five or greater.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein saidrequiring step includes requiring the dealer to draw an extra card ifthe combined total of the first face-down card and the third face-upcard is four or lower.
 9. The method of claim 1 further includinglimiting a hand to a total of three cards.
 10. The method of claim 1wherein said permitting step includes permitting a player to doubledown.
 11. The method of claim 1 further including allowing the player tosplit cards if the first face-up card has an equal value to the secondface-up card.
 12. The method of claim 1 further including comparingranks in the event the player hand ties the dealer hand.
 13. A method ofplaying a casino card game including a dealer, at least one player andat least one deck of fifty-two playing cards, wherein the deck is astandard deck of playing cards including aces, kings, queens, jacks,tens, nines, eights, sevens, sixes, fives, fours, threes and twos, saidmethod comprising: dealing to a player a first player face-up card and asecond player face-up card; dealing to a dealer a dealer face down-cardand a dealer face-up card; permitting the player to do one of drawing anadditional card and standing; and requiring the dealer to do one ofdrawing an extra card and standing based on house rules; determining atotal of a player hand based on the sum of the first player face-upcard, the second player face-up card and the additional card if theadditional card has been selected; determining a total of a dealer handbased on the sum of the dealer face-down card, the dealer face-up card,and the extra card if the dealer has been required to select the extracard; and beating the dealer if the total of the player hand is closerto a value of nine than the total of the dealer hand.
 14. The method ofclaim 13 further including assigning a value of one to aces; assigning avalue of zero to kings, queens, jacks and tens; and assigning a value toremaining cards equal to the face value of the remaining cards.
 15. Themethod of claim 13 wherein said beating the dealer step includessubtracting a value of ten from a hand that has an aggregate face valuegreater than nine, but not exceeding nineteen; and subtracting a valueof twenty from a hand that has an aggregate face value greater thannineteen.
 16. The method of claim 13 further including determining thatthe player is an automatic winner after said dealing steps if the firstplayer face-up card and the second player face-up card have a combinedtotal value of nine.
 17. The method of claim 13 further includinglimiting a hand to a total of three cards.
 18. The method of claim 13further including comparing ranks in the event the player hand ties thedealer hand.
 19. A method of playing a baccarat-blackjack hybrid gamecomprising: controlling whether to draw a card or not draw a card aftera player has already been dealt two cards; and comparing a combinedvalue of cards possessed by the player to a number other than twenty-oneto determine whether the player wins.
 20. The method of claim 19 furtherincluding limiting the total number of cards a player may have to three.21. The method of claim 19 further including assigning values to cardsin the following manner: assigning a value of one to an ace; assigning avalue of zero to kings, queens, jacks and tens; and assigning a valueequal to the face vale of other numbered cards.
 22. The method of claim19 further including wagering on whether the combined value of cardspossessed by the player will beat a combined value of cards possessed bya dealer.
 23. The method of claim 19 further including wagering onwhether the combined value of cards possessed by the player will tie acombined value of cards possessed by a dealer.